Binutils 2.47 released
Announces the release of GNU Binutils version 2.47, highlighting new features and bug fixes.
This announcement details the release of GNU Binutils version 2.47, available for download. Key new features include a new command-line option --reloc-section-sym for controlling relocation for local symbols and expanded support for RISC-V standard extensions. As an odd-numbered release, it does not include sources for the GOLD linker. Concerns are raised in a reply that bfd/development.sh still indicates development=true in the tarballs, suggesting they might be development snapshots rather than stable releases.
- proposer
Announces the release of Binutils 2.47, detailing new features like `--reloc-section-sym` and RISC-V extensions, and providing download links and checksums.
“We are pleased to announce that version 2.47 of the GNU Binutils project sources have been released and are now available for download at: https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/binutils https://sourceware.org/pub/binutils/releases/”
- reviewer
Notes that `bfd/development.sh` still shows `development=true` in the tarballs, suggesting they might be development snapshots.
“bfd/development.sh still has development=true set in the tarballs, so this looks like a snapshot.”
Technical Tradeoffs
- New features and bug fixes in version 2.47 enhance functionality and stability.
- Exclusion of GOLD linker sources from this release adheres to a policy but might require users needing GOLD to stick to even-numbered releases or use separate sources.
- Concerns about release tarball integrity due to a development flag being present.
In Details
This is an announcement for the release of GNU Binutils 2.47. It calls out significant new features such as the --reloc-section-sym option for more granular control over section symbol processing in relocations, and the addition of several new RISC-V standard extensions. The announcement also mentions that GOLD linker sources are not included in this release, consistent with the project's release cadence for odd-numbered versions. A follow-up comment raises a concern about the reproducibility or stability of the release tarballs, citing the presence of development=true in an internal scri…
- relocation
- The process of updating symbolic machine code references (like function or variable addresses) in an object file or executable to their final memory addresses during the linking or loading phase.
- PLT
- Procedure Linkage Table. A table used in executable files and shared libraries to resolve indirect function calls to functions that are not defined in the current module, typically used for dynamic linking.
- RISC-V
- An open-source instruction set architecture (ISA). The release notes mention support for specific standard extensions of RISC-V.
- GOLD linker
- A newer, faster linker developed by the GNU Project as a replacement for the traditional
ld. Its sources are not included in odd-numbered Binutils releases as per project policy. - tarball
- A compressed archive file, typically created using the tar utility, which bundles software source code or files for distribution.